Darlington have today signed defender Louis Storey for the rest of the season.

Louis, who is 31, played in the Northern League for Team Northumbria, South Shields, and Hebburn, whom he captained to victory in the 2021 Vase final against Consett, who were then managed by Terry Mitchell.

Louis moved to Gateshead in the summer of 2021, and helped them win promotion from the National League North to the National League in his first season.

He was a part of the side that reached Wembley in the 2023 Trophy final, only to lose to Halifax, but he was back a year later, this time helping Gateshead win the Trophy by beating Solihull on penalties – he scored one of the penalties in the shootout.

When Mike Williamson and his management team left in October 2023, Louis was appointed interim assistant manager to Rob Elliot, and was made permanent after Wembley. He continued to play, and made ten appearances for Gateshead before the pair left for Crawley in League One in October 2024 where they stayed until March.

We would like to welcome Louis to the club and wish him every success whilst he is with us.